The Dillon tribune., 1887-04-15
THE ALIEN LAND LAW.
A Letter From Senator Plumb Which Dis.
pels the Hopes Of Mining Men.

pels the Hopes of Mining Men.
Butte /sIcr MowntaiM.: There has been
great deal Of speculation among mining
men in the territories as to whether the in.
tcn.ion Of the Plumb alien land bill was to
stop foreign investment in the territoi les.
1t was believed BY many that the bill was
not designed to prevent aliens from secur
ing title to mining ground. but to prevent
their securing land for agricultural, cattle
raising or building purposes. 1t was re.
garded a. certain that the next congress
would 50 modify the law US to exclude
mines from the operation Of its provisions.
This, belief however, has been summarily
dispelled BY communication from Sena.
tor Plumb himself, who, in answer to a
letter Of inquiry from Mr.. b. c. Kings.
bury, OF this city, writes to that gentleman
his views upon the subject Mr.. Kings.
bury consents to the publication of the le,
ter because lie deems its contents Of vital
Importance to the mining interest and be.
cause its subject matter is not regarded as
UNITED STATES SENATE, WASHING.
TON, ID. c., April 4, 1SS7-B. e. Kings.
bury, Butte City, Montana-Dear sir: On
my return from Florida found your favor
Of the 14th ult., awaiting me. Responding
to your inquiry will say that in my jugd.
,nent the alien land law passed at the re.
cent session Of congress does prohibit not
onlv French but all foreign capitalists,
from investing in mines in the territories
Of the United States. While the bill as
originally drawn by myself MAS aimed
chiefly at the acquisition Of agricultural
lands by foreigners. still the fact that it
also prevented the acquisition Of mining
property by them was we'll understood and
discussed. After hearing all that was said
upon the subject the committee on public
lands before whom the bill WAS pending
concluded that it was best to let it stand in
that particular as introduced. So far as
could be ascertained the benefits resulting
from the investment Of foreign capital in
mining properties in the territories were
more than counterbalanced by the dsad
vantages resulting therefrom. There is
| undoubtedly money enoagh in this coun
| try seeking investment to provide for the
development Of all mining propt rites
known TO be valuable, and it is better, l
think, to 90 little slower, and keep the
income from our mining properties at
| home.
There is much that feel like saying up
on this subject since YOU have written to
me, hut it is hardly worth while in view Of
the fact that the law without any doub,
whatever prohibits foreign investment in
mining properties in territories, and, as
said before, this result was thoroughly un.
derstood. Truly yours, P.B. PLUMB
This effectively disposcs of,he hopes Of
our alien residents and the agents Of for.
eign capitalists as to the expected amend.
ment OF the law, which is much to be re.
gretted. 1t is understood already that two
mining sules which were on the point Of
contamination in this territory to foreign
capitalists have been broken of. They in.
volved together quarter Of a million dol
lars, but the money will now remain on
the other side Of the water. Several
agents of foreign companies are already
preparing to leave Montana and the result
must be long delay in the development,
Of many mining properties which would
| otherwise be the means OF the distribution
OF much money among our people for II.
Dor and supplies.
Rail II m llSf (s1lf tn Canada